Many people argue there’s a crisis of information in the 21st century. Facts come wrapped in claims and counterclaims, they say, with dubious sourcing and various grains of credibility. This generation of students sees digital literacy as a core skill set. How can instructors help students determine which facts are trustworthy? Thomas Leitch’s book, “Wikipedia … Continued
What happens when photography students know they’re working for publication, rather than a classroom exercise? What if that publisher was the sixth-most visited website in the world, where millions of people could see those images? That’s what happens when you combine Wikimedia Commons and Wikipedia with photography assignments. We’ve already seen measurable benefits for students who contribute to … Continued
Every week we find interesting articles that student editors have created or improved. This week we’re looking at Georgetown University’s Communication: Theory and Frameworks, taught by Dr. Jeanine Turner, for articles that connect to technology or communication. Does social pressure silence controversial opinions? Is small talk a way to minimize threats? How does technology travel? … Continued
From the University of Southern Indiana’s Intro to Mass Communication course, taught by Dr. Chad Tew, this week we’re sharing Wikipedia articles, created or expanded by students, and about journalists killed while reporting. Simone Camilli and Ali Shehda Abu Afash were both killed reporting on the 2014 Israeli-Gaza conflict. Naseem Intriri and Walid Bledi were … Continued
Wiki Ed is looking for current translation and language courses to translate Wikipedia articles. These assignments present students with an opportunity to put their skills into public service. Student editors get real-world experience in translating for a broader public while deepening an appreciation for cross-cultural understanding. Finally, it taps into an intrinsic motivation to apply … Continued
Highlights Results of our December 2014 instructor survey show that 85% of our instructors are firmly committed to teaching with Wikipedia again, and 88% were satisfied with Wiki Ed’s level of communication and feedback. The same survey indicates that 68% of the student editors contributing content to Wikipedia through Wiki Ed’s Classroom Program are women. … Continued
English Wikipedia articles tend to favor locations where English speaking editors live. That means that finding information about African historical sites on Wikipedia can feel like an expedition in and of itself. Dr. Kate Grillo’s African Archaeology course at University of Wisconsin La Crosse showed us some great examples of student editors helping to contribute … Continued
Every week we focus on quality articles that student editors have contributed to Wikipedia. This week, we look to Boston College’s History of the American West course, taught by Dr. Marilynn Johnson, focusing on American history west of the Mississippi. Read about the first Native American woman to become a physician in the U.S. (an … Continued
This post is the third in a three-part series (see parts one and two) featuring Char Booth, the Director of Research, Teaching, and Learning Services at the Claremont Colleges Library in Claremont, CA. She works with faculty and students at the seven colleges to integrate information literacy concepts into coursework, often via Wikipedia assignments. Our previous posts focused on … Continued
